2017 $20 Aircraft of the Second World War 3-Coin Pure Silver Set
Consolidated Canso The flying boats of the Second World War were prized for their long-range flight capabilities. When an amphibious version of the Consolidated PBY Catalina seaplane was introduced in 1939, the more versatile PBY-5A caught the eye of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Re-designated as the Consolidated Canso and manufactured in Canada, the legendary anti-submarine patrol bomber is brought to life once more on this coin, where selective colour showcases the colours and markings of RCAF No. Designed by Canadian artist David A. Oram, the coin features an engraved depiction of the amphibious Consolidated Canso in action in the Atlantic theatre of war. Selective colour re-creates the camouflage colours and markings of RCAF No. 162 Squadron-specifically the white-grey fuselage, as well as the blue and green camouflage pattern along the upper wing and tail surfaces. The reporting marks “T” and “9816” are associated with a Canadian Canso piloted by Flt. McBride who, on June 3, 1944, dropped four depth charges to destroy U-477 (engraved in the background) in the waters of the North Sea, off the coast of Norway. The obverse features the effigy of King George VI by T. Nicknamed “Faithful Annie”, the Avro Anson was reputed for its stability and rugged reliability. Its wartime production fueled Canada’s aircraft manufacturing industry, but its most significant role was arguably as the twin-engine aircraft of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). The Design: Designed by Canadian artist David A. Oram, your coin features an engraved depiction of an Avro Anson in one of its many roles during the war. At the hands of Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots, the dependable and rugged Hawker Hurricane was flown in all theatres of war yet remains most famously associated with the Battle of Britain (1940). On this special coin, this aviation icon takes flight once more over the Thames Estuary, with selective colour highlighting the aircraft piloted by the commanding officer of the RCAF’s No. 1 Squadron, Ernest Archibald McNab. Oram, the coin features an engraved depiction of two Hawker Hurricanes patrolling the skies over Great Britain during the Battle of Britain, circa 1940. The design features an outstanding amount of detail, all painstakingly engraved and enhanced with the use of multiple finishes. The selectively coloured Hurricane in the foreground bears the reporting marks of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) No. 1 Squadron, along with the identifier YO-A and the serial number P3069 that are associated with the aircraft flown by Squadron Leader Ernest Archibald McNab. This Hurricane’s combat experience is evident in the markings and faded paint on its fuselage and wings, but does little to diminish the aircraft’s overall colourful appearance-from its grey-green camouflage to the multi-coloured roundels on the wings and fuselage, along with the red, white and blue tail flash. FEATURES: Produced By: RCM Denomination: 20 Dollars Year: 2017 TECHNICAL SPECS: Diameter: 40mm Material: Silver Fineness: 0.9999 Weight: 95.49 grams Bullion Weight: 3.07 Troy Ounces.